I've never like machine bread so when my fellow breadaholic proposed getting a machine I was hard against it. However we love to eat artisan breads and pizza so I researched the options and agreed to give it a go. After using it for 8 months, about 5 times a week, I have to say we both love the Breville bread maker. One feature that we use constantly is the option to customize the oven's knead, rise, bake profile. I like my pizza crust to rise longer, at a lower temp. He likes to autolyse the whole wheat before adding the other ingredients and... well he likes to change lots of things. It has been fun and a great cost savings.

I did a lot of research on brands and the only other machine that I thought was of the same quality was the Zojirushi, but in the end the Breville offered more flexibility. I did have to call them and get a replacement for the bucket due to the teflon coating not adhering but they replaced it, quick and easy.

This machine has everything! This was an upgrade from my current bread machine which I've had for over 20 years and has been a real workhorse (in fact I'll still keep it, it was a Sanyo, for kneading dough). I did a lot of on-line research before purchasing the Breville BBM800XL. I was willing to pay for a premium machine that had lots of presets but also allows customized settings and this fit my needs to the tee. I really wanted a machine that could do sourdough crusty loaves and that's the first loaf I made. It came out beautifully! I love the interior light so you can see what's going on. I also like the feature that you can take a loaf from yesterday and just use the "bake only" function to warm it up for dinner. You can also take the dough out and form into braids or individual rolls in the bread pan and then put it back in to bake. Functionality is super easy. I didn't have any issues with noise or the machine "walking" that some reviewers complain about. It was quieter than my old machine and on my granite counter it didn't budge an inch. All in all, so far, I'm super pleased with this early birthday present from my hubby. I'll update if things go haywire.

Update: The paddle can lift off and come free at times during the kneading cycle so it no longer does anything. It needs to be fished out of the dough ball and re-attached. This can happen multiple times, requiring constant monitoring through the kneading cycle. I haven't been able to get through a pizza dough cycle (following their recipe) without this happening, so I knocked rating down to 3 stars. If I get around to installing a set screw in the paddle, that would probably fix the problem.
Original review: Works well. Very easy to use settings. On smaller loaves (1.5lbs and less tried so far) you may have to help with the mixing by scooping items out of the corners into the dough after the first knead. Have tried several of the bread recipes in the accompanying booklet and all came out well. Nut dispenser works well (tried so far with nuts, diced prosciutto and diced cheese). Having some baking experience helps as you may need to add a bit of liquid or flour to get perfect consistency when kneading. Crust is medium when set to medium. Sounds a beep before bake cycle so you can remove blade and minimize hole in bottom of bread. Also has a dough cycle which worked fine when I tried a pizza dough recipe. Ability to store custom cycles is a plus. I purchased this mainly because of good reviews and the ability to make smaller loaves.

Pros:
- User Interface easy to read and use
- Stainless steel modern design
- User friendly
- Detailed manual

Cons:
- Top Heavy (wobbles a little)
- Short power cord
- Beeps are loud
- Top of bread doesn't get as brown as the sides do

After a few mishaps and failed attempts most of which were my fault I am now producing quality loaves that rival most specialty breads in the store. I slice with an electric knife. There are bread recipes that make good sandwich loaves. The oatmeal bread is to die for, So is the rye, White and of course the ability to make pizza dough. I use the focaccia recipe for pizza. The only recipe I can't get to work is the corn/cheesy bread. It may have something to do with the lack of gluten in the corn meal. Next time I'm going to pop it in the oven and see if it comes out that way.
The machine is easy to use. The collapsible paddle leaves a small dent if you don't take it out after the beep. The loaves baked in the unit look best if you take a minute to shape them before the final rise. This is one of those appliance that belong on your counter so you use it often. The recipes are easy to load and you really can set it and forget it. That means you can let it bake at night. As far as the noise it makes. We think it's saying Bread, Bread, Bread...which is a good thing.
It is important to use the correct types of flours and ingredients. Use the vital wheat gluten. And measure carefully. Unlike handmade breads where you develop a feel for the dough these recipes are calculated to work in this machine.